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Hackett spent 20 years as CEO of Grand Rapids-based Steelcase, Inc., an office furniture company

When John Wangler first connected with Jim Hackett, they were close -- physically close.

"My freshman year, Jim was a senior and we played together on the demonstration team and then we got in some games together, he and I," said Wangler, who came to U-M in 1976 and played mostly in 1979 and 1980. "My first experience in Michigan Stadium was taking a snap from Jimmy Hackett."

At center, Hackett didn't play nearly as much as Wangler eventually did, only lettering one season at U-M, in 1976, but he made an impression on the younger players, despite his steady temperament.

"He was always one of my favorites as a freshman," Wangler said of Hackett, named Michigan's interim athletic director on Friday, taking over for Dave Brandon, who resigned. "You know you look up to your seniors and talk about guys you want to emulate, we got to spend a lot of time together, me taking snaps form him and learning the ropes of Michigan football. He was a guy I had the utmost respect for as a player and as a person…. To see the success he had over the years, I couldn't have been more happy or proud to say he was a teammate of mine."

For the past 20 years, until he retired in February, Hackett, 59, was nowhere near football or athletics, serving as the CEO of Grand Rapids-based Steelcase, Inc., which produced office furniture.

Yet his business success was not the first thing those who knew him discussed when his name arises.

His character resonates with those who know him.

Those were also virtues that U-M president Mark Schlissel identified when introducing Hackett at the Friday press conference.

"Jim is a highly respected and experienced business leader, a man of integrity and a devoted member of the Michigan community," Schlissel said, citing Hackett's business experience taking Steelcase from a regional company to a global brand. "I'm also very pleased with his interpersonal skills, his value system and his longstanding commitment to serving the university."

Hackett's current connection to U-M was on the advisory board of the President Gerald R. Ford school of public policy and the life sciences institute.

Hackett only spoke with a prepared statement and didn't take questions, but praised the successes of Brandon – his former teammate under Bo Schembechler – and thanked him for his "extraordinary commitment."

"Both of them would be quite certain that the future of Michigan is not in doubt," Hackett said. "As we gather for Homecoming weekend and honor our shared history, I hope fans, former players, students and my fellow alumni can come together in support of our teams."

Schlissel gave no timetable for the hiring of the permanent AD and when asked if Hackett was a candidate, Schlissel said that was "putting the cart way before the horse… I've only prevailed upon Jim to serve as the interim director and he very graciously agreed. We'll be working together to formulate a way forward."

One area where Hackett will be watched is his role in hiring the permanent AD and potentially a football coach, depending on his evaluation of Brady Hoke at season's end.

"He was such a high character guy," said Wangler, who has a vested U-M interest with three children, football players Jack and Jared, and a women's basketball player, Halle, as current U-M athletes. "He was a real leader, not the most vocal, but he just led by example. He had such a great demeanor about him."